Deciding which Kindle to get...

[GomerBoy]

Hello everyone. I ABSOLUTELY love to read! (My favorite author is Vince Flynn!  ) I think it is time for me to quit reading paperbacks and transfer into the world ereaders! I am very excited, but I can't decide what Kindle is best for me.

At first I was planning on buying the new Kindle Fire. After realizing that it is more like a "tablet" instead of an "ereader" and hearing people say that it hurts their eyes more to read on an LCD screen, I changed my mind. My main purpose is to read books comfortably on a kindle; not watch movies, play apps/games, listen to music, etc. That is what my Ipod Touch is for.

So now, I have been doing research on the other Kindle models. I am really liking the Touch. The Keyboard looks cool too, but I would think having to use the joystick all the time because it is not a touchscreen would be difficult. I have not looked much at the DX because of its rather large size. I would think that it would get tough to hold it when reading for long periods because of its large size.

So, can you guys help me out on my decision? What Kindle do you have? What do you think is the best one?  Thanks!

[Rita]

Hey Gomerboy,

I've owned the K2 with the keyboard and multi-directional button and it served its purpose. I recently upgraded to the Touch and absolutely love it. The responsiveness of the touch screen is tremendous and I don't miss the keyboard at all. The virtual keyboard is just fine and the text is much darker than on my K2. I chose to get the wifi version instead of the 3G and it has been just fine for my needs. If you travel a lot you might want to get the 3G, but if you're like me and don't travel and have wireless at home then wifi is the way to go. They have the wifi with special offers and one without. I don't like advertisements so decided on the one without even though it was a little higher in price. For me it was worth not having to look at special offers all the time.

[Myndymoo]

Hello everyone. I ABSOLUTELY love to read! (My favorite author is Vince Flynn!  ) I think it is time for me to quit reading paperbacks and transfer into the world ereaders! I am very excited, but I can't decide what Kindle is best for me.

At first I was planning on buying the new Kindle Fire. After realizing that it is more like a "tablet" instead of an "ereader" and hearing people say that it hurts their eyes more to read on an LCD screen, I changed my mind. My main purpose is to read books comfortably on a kindle; not watch movies, play apps/games, listen to music, etc. That is what my Ipod Touch is for.

So now, I have been doing research on the other Kindle models. I am really liking the Touch. The Keyboard looks cool too, but I would think having to use the joystick all the time because it is not a touchscreen would be difficult. I have not looked much at the DX because of its rather large size. I would think that it would get tough to hold it when reading for long periods because of its large size.

So, can you guys help me out on my decision? What Kindle do you have? What do you think is the best one?  Thanks!

Without a doubt K3G keyboard.......................

[The Hooded Claw]

If you scroll through the last couple of pages of posts in this forum, you should see a LOT of discussion of this topic.  It will be worth your time to read some of them.  The main two decisions you need to make are:

1)  Keyboard vs. $79 Kindle vs. Touch

2) (unless you get a $79 Kindle) 3G vs. Wifi

But from your original post, sounds like you are inclined towards the Touch (which is a fine choice).  If so, it comes down to whether you are willing to pay a slight price premium and always have 3G available to shop for books and download from your archives, or whether you are happy saving some money and doing most of your transfers of books to the device on your home wifi network.  If you don't have a home wifi network already, you'll probably prefer the 3G rather than setting up a wifi network.

The above is my suggestion for you, based on the info you provided.  If you are just dying to know what I got for myself, check out numerous other threads in this forum where I've explained what I think is best for me!  

[pitbullandfire]

You should go in and play with some of the Kindles at Best Buy or local store.  It really depends on what you are looking for and how they feel to you.  I started with the FIRE when I sold my iPad, missed the 3G aspect and ended up buying the K3 (to solve that situation) and then wanted a smaller Kindle to take around, so I got the K4.  To sum up my rambling, even after I thought about what I wanted I ended up getting more.  I'm stalking a Touch w/3G  possibly after the holidays, but that might be excessive...LOL

[Cardinal]

I agree with going to a store and seeing them in person.

My experience:
The mini K4 is super light and portable.  It goes with me everywhere.
The Touch is fun, but the progress bar with chapter dots is missing inside the book and I miss it.  The K2, K3 and mini K4 all have it.
Even with the two new Kindles, when I am at home I find myself reaching for the K3 most of the time. 

[GomerBoy]

Thanks everyone for their opinions!  I am really leaning towards getting the Touch just because I am used to touchscreen devices (like my Ipod Touch and phone). I will be going to Target tomorrow and trying out the different Kindles for sure. Maybe I will end up liking the Keyboard more instead of the Touch, we'll see...

One thing is for sure though...I will have my very first Kindle by Christmas! No more hardcover/paperback books (for the most part)! I am so excited!

[zeppo]

The problem with Target, Best Buy and other places I have gone to is they have them locked in demo mode.  The demo mode for the Touch sucks in terms of letting you get familiar with the device.  I finally found one that was free from the demo mode, with the exception of being able to access the browser, at Staples.  I don't know if it was just this one location or all.

From the needs you describe, I would get the Touch wifi.  The touch keyboard is way easier than the Kindle Keyboard if you are used to the iphone as you are.  The browser is better in wifi from all accounts, but you can't try that in the stores. 

That said, I got a K Keyboard 3G for $85 on sale and was going to get a Touch wifi only but now I think I am holding off.  For my needs, I was interested in being able to communicate internationally with the 3G and save some money there.  The K Keyboard via 3G will let me do it and the K Touch via 3G will let you, I think, post short messages to twitter or facebook, but to get access incoming messages might take some creative options that I need to test, but haven't yet.  I am also interested in using it for reading spanish, with a spanish-english default dictionary helping me along the way.  After trying out the touch, I've decided the keyboard will be better a good amount of the time (when the primary definition applies and doesn't require to pull up the full entry) because the definition appears at the top and doesn't pop up over the preceding text in which the word appears.  So as you view the definition in the touch, the context of the word that you are considering has been blocked from view.  One final advantage in favor of the keyboard was you can protect it with a plastic bag if you are poolside worrying about splashes or on the beach worrying about sand.  How easy it actually is to read through a bag I don't know.   Haven't tried it yet, but it was something I considered as not a bad reason to ultimately wind up with both a keyboard and a touch, just not yet on the touch.

[Betsy the Quilter]

The Touch is fun, but the progress bar with chapter dots is missing inside the book and I miss it.  The K2, K3 and mini K4 all have it.

I like the progress bar but the Touch still shows the percentage completed in the lower right hand corner, just without the bar...

Betsy

[Cardinal]

I like the progress bar but the Touch still shows the percentage completed in the lower right hand corner, just without the bar...

Betsy

Tonight, I picked up the Touch, synced to where I was on another Kindle and somehow got thrown out and lost my place.  Getting back to my place was a huge, huge pain, the percentage didn't help at all.  I really missed the visual bar in the book.

[Okkoto86]

I've tried all the new Kindles and just really really don't like them.  I despise turning the pages with a touchscreen, and the page turn buttons on the K4 are really uncomfortable.  The K3 is the best Kindle ever made, and its about to go away.  Don't miss your change to own one. 

[patrickt]

You started out with a good decision. The Fire is for you if you're a game-playing, movie-watching, music-listening, internet-surfing person. If you're a reader, no Fire.

Ads versus no ads. It's up to you. If you're afflicted with emotional or mental disorders that require you to stare endlessly at screen savers--or the last line on the home page--do not under any circumstance get the ads. If, on the other hand, you're fairly normal you won't really notice them as you go to read a book. As soon as you wake up your Kindle, poof, the ad is gone and you're in your book.

Speakers. If you want text-to-speech, you'll need to get the Keyboard or the Touch. The Kindle Basic has no speakers.

They all have the same screen. They all download the same books. They all are great for reading. Make you choice and settle down to read.

[Ann in Arlington]

Ads versus no ads. It's up to you. If you're afflicted with emotional or mental disorders that require you to stare endlessly at screen savers--or the last line on the home page--do not under any circumstance get the ads. If, on the other hand, you're fairly normal you won't really notice them as you go to read a book. As soon as you wake up your Kindle, poof, the ad is gone and you're in your book.

This isn't really fair and is, actually, rather mean.   I will assume you were trying to be funny.

Here's the thing (addressed to anyone deciding which kindle to buy): if you agree to have the ads on the device, you'll save yourself a few bucks.  If, after you've had it a while, you decide that none of the 'offers' are anything you're interested in and would really prefer NOT to have them, you can easily 'buy out' via the Manage your Kindle page.  The buy out cost is $30 on the Basic Kindle, $40 on the touch and, $50 on the Keyboard model -- essentially the difference between purchasing with or without the special offers in the first place. 

If you're pretty sure you don't want to see them at all, just buy it without ads in the first place.  If you want to give them a try, you can turn them on, though there's no rebate for doing so.  Once you've paid full price, you can turn them on or off at will.  There is at least one thread here where people share what offers have come up.  They usually last a few days.  So if you see one you would like to take advantage of, you can go and turn them on, get the offer(s) you're interested in, and then turn them back off.  As far as we know, Amazon places no restrictions on how often you do this.

The images for the ads are not obnoxious in anyway -- certainly always G rated and often quite artful.  They ONLY appear when the device is 'sleeping' and as a small banner on the home page.  They never 'pop up' in books or anything like that.  They change periodically which I kind of like -- I never had the visceral negative reaction to the images of classic authors that some folks had (not all of the portraits were particularly flattering, I agree) -- but I was kind of getting tired of seeing the same things over and over again, even if only for a second or two at a time.

[GomerBoy]

So I went to Target and tried out the different Kindles. My preference has not changed, my favorite is the Touch! It does not bother/distract me to tap the screen to turn the page at all. I tried the side buttons to turn pages on the K4, but they just feel awkward to press to me. Also, I find it much easier/faster to navigate with the Touch because of its touchscreen. So, Santa will be bringing me a Touch for Christmas...YAY!

For those who have a Touch, what kind of case do you have?

[NightGoat]

The problem with Target, Best Buy and other places I have gone to is they have them locked in demo mode. 

Not to mention the anti-theft tether thingy that pulls on the device and adds weight by the attachment itself. It makes it kind of hard to determine exactly how light the device is.

I was playing with the KT at Target last night, my arm was getting tired holding it... I had to keep reminding myself the device isn't as heavy as it seems.

[Cardinal]

For those who have a Touch, what kind of case do you have?

I got the Marware Eco-Vue for Kindle and Kindle Touch so I would have a case right away.   Really didn't like it, it caused a lot of pain in my left wrist.

I just got an Oberon for my Touch.   

[pitbullandfire]

I got the Marware Eco-Vue for Kindle and Kindle Touch so I would have a case right away.   Really didn't like it, it caused a lot of pain in my left wrist.

I just got an Oberon for my Touch.   

My Kindle Klan are all clothed in Oberon's...Looking for which one for my next addition 

[Rita]

So I went to Target and tried out the different Kindles. My preference has not changed, my favorite is the Touch! It does not bother/distract me to tap the screen to turn the page at all. I tried the side buttons to turn pages on the K4, but they just feel awkward to press to me. Also, I find it much easier/faster to navigate with the Touch because of its touchscreen. So, Santa will be bringing me a Touch for Christmas...YAY!

For those who have a Touch, what kind of case do you have?

I decided on the Kindle Touch Lighted Leather Cover, Black. Although it's a little pricey it's wonderful having a light source available at all times and doesn't require batteries.

[Rita]

I've tried all the new Kindles and just really really don't like them.  I despise turning the pages with a touchscreen, and the page turn buttons on the K4 are really uncomfortable.  The K3 is the best Kindle ever made, and its about to go away.  Don't miss your change to own one. 

For me the "turning of the page" on the new Touch is terrific. Some people complain about having to swipe kind of hard, but I've found that all it takes is a very light touch for the page to turn. It was so easy that when a fly landed on my Kindle the other night it actually turned the page for me!

[dax123]

I decided on the Kindle Touch Lighted Leather Cover, Black. Although it's a little pricey it's wonderful having a light source available at all times and doesn't require batteries.

I'm really dissapointed in the new lighted covers, the light is good, no argument there..but the cover is just too slick. I have one for my K4 and I just have to be careful when I pick it up otherwise it would just slip out of my hands. Too slippery to my liking, they should have added some texture to the leather. Nuff said that I took it off again and put another cover on it. When I got the Touch recently I decided not to get the lighted cover again eventhough I love having a light with me at all times.

[dax123]

I have all 3 kindles. The K3 keyboard, The K4 and the Touch. I prefer the touch right now. I just love how easy it is to turn a page on the Touch. I bought the K4 because I was worried I would miss the buttons to turn pages, but it turns out i don't miss them at all. I agree that the page turn buttons on the K4 could have been a bit bigger, I often times find myself searching for them, or pressing the page back button instead of the page forward. With the Touch, even if you're left handed like me you have almost an entire page to just tap on it to turn the page. I love how just a tab is enough, even on my Sony PRS 650 i would always use the hardware buttons to change page because I disliked having to make a swipe motion. The tapping is easy and fast. Love it!

Right now I've got this cover on order:

The Marware Atlas in pink.

But I might upgrade someday to an oberon, would love to own one someday, trouble is I just can't decide what design to get. LOL

Or I might go for a sleeve. Where I found the K4 too small to hold comfortable naked, the Touch is just the right size to hold comfortabely without cover. But right now we'll wait and see how the Marware Atlas cover will do. And in the mean time try to make up my mind on a Oberon cover. 

[Hoosiermama]

I got this case for mine. I like that it's really light, and I can change the little thingies on the front... I also like the bungie, because I can stick my fingers between the front and back covers (when it's folded back), leaving my thumb free to tap the page turns. Because, you know, actually HOLDING it is too much effort for me, I guess .

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfish%26%23153%3B+-+My+Way+E-Reader+Case+for+Kindle%2C+Kindle+Touch%2C+Kindle+Touch+3G+and+Kobo+Touch+-+Black/3812754.p?id=1218437506018&skuId=3812754&st=kindle%20touch%20case&cp=1&lp=1

[Ann in Arlington]

My problem with the covers advertised for both Kindle and Kindle Touch is that the Basic Kindle doesn't really fit in them correctly.  Oh, it does fit, but it's smaller than the case and there's a half inch, give or take, of edge around it.  I just don't like that.  They do tend to fit the Touch perfectly.

I really do like the exact, perfect fit of the stock Kindle case (no need for a light) for the Basic Kindle, but would prefer some other colors and also would have preferred they kept a textured finish.  But it is really light -- I love that it basically adds NO weight.

[pitbullandfire]

Definitely agree about the texture. The cover is too smooth and might slip from my hand like a previous poster mentioned. The older covers with the textured leather were nicer IMHO.


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[SamanthaM]

I had the chance to play with the Kindle Keyboard last night, as my family exchanged holiday gifts early due to travel plans. I helped Mom get the KK set up, and I wasn't a fan of it. I'm too used to my smartphone with touch screen everything. I think that the KK will be fantastic for Mom, and once I helped her download some books, she curled up in her rocker and started reading.

I had originally placed a KK on my wish list as well, but my boyfriend decided to buy me the Kindle Fire instead. So far, I LIKE it... But I'm kinda thinking about asking him if I can exchange it for a Kindle Touch 3G instead. The Fire is great, but I wanted the e-ink screen so it would be easier to read. I also REALLY liked the idea of being able to download new books from anywhere (the airport, my cousins house in the mountain of TN with no internet access, while on a road trip, etc), and I won't be able to do that with the Fire unless I pay an extra $20/month to my phone company to enable the hot spot connectivity. I also liked the idea of the battery lasting two months instead of only eight hours.

We have a trip planned over Christmas, so I'll probably keep the Fire until we get back, and see how I like it when we are dealing with long drives and waits at the airport.